I have given up on airline miles. They are just too hard to redeem. I now use the AMEX True Earnings cash back card. It is a Costco affinity. You get actual dollars back. There are no blackout dates for dollars. Nor can they devalue their "points" as did my Citi VISA.

The Costco card earns 3% on resturants, 2% on travel, and 1% on everything else.

If you are to become a road warrior, and will have a regular route, then it is worthwhile to aim for elite status with a particular carrier. For myself, the places I go for pleasure are Scuba dive locations that are seldom served by the airlines I use for business. So I'd rather have the cash.

You might also check into affinity cards that accumulate credit for an automobile. GM and Subaru have programs. My bride loves her new Outback.